HONG KONG.
PUBLIC HEALTH IN HONG KONG.
CHAPTER I.
In examining the Public Health organisation of Hong Kong with a view to bringing about a betterment, it is necessary to go into the history of the many efforts which have been made in the past to build up a system which would give satisfaction and to enquire where each failed and why.
But before doing so it is essential for clearness of vision to understand the reason for the existence of Hong Kong as a British Colony, the nature of its Govern- ment and its relations with neighbouring countries.
Hong Kong exists as a British Colony because of the value to England of trade with China Its importance lies in :-
A. Its situation as a convenient base for commercial operations.
B. Its situation as a Naval and Military base for the protection of trade
routes.
It would appear to be very important from the political standpoint that Hong Kong should be British in character as well as in name and it is also important that the Public Health and Welfare System should be based on modern British me- thods and not on Chinese methods of the pro-Republican era.
But the prosperity of the British trade with China depends almost entirely on the maintenance of good relations with the Chinese merchants-whether they be re- sident in Hong Kong or on the mainland. Such being the case it is very necessary that every reasonable effort should be made to secure and hold the good-will of the Chinese. Therefore, though security of life, of health, and property is the first essential, the maintenance of trade is a very close second.
Hong Kong is the principal commercial entrepôt of Southern China, and it has secured this position because :—
A. It has an excellent harbour
B. It is a free port.
C. It allows the citizens of all nations to trade on equal terms.
D. It affords security for life and property to all.
E. It interferes as little as is compatible with good Government with
the customs and habits of its residents.
Hong Kong is not the only port in South China and there is considerable pos- sibility of divergence of traffic and the consequent depression of prosperity if unrea- sonable restrictions are placed on the activities of those who are engaged in commer- cial pursuits, or if action be taken which would alienate the sympathy of the Chinese.
The strikes and boycotts of recent years with their consequent financial depres- sion show the delicate position of Hong Hong as an entrepôt and the necessity for tact, discretion and caution in dealing with subjects which interfere with the customs or comfort of the masses or which affect the pockets of the moneyed classes.
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